Shoes – The $1500 Wardrobe Part II
Creating a versatile, sharp wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. By far, the best course of action is to go slow. But for argument’s sake, let’s say you have to start from scratch, today. Over the next 5 days we’ll see how far a strict budget of $1500 can go. It won’t be easy and some corners will have to be cut, but the goal is to end with a setup of clothes that can have someone looking great in almost any situation. Remember, we’re playing with a total of $1500 here. So there will be an obvious focus on real affordable stuff, which can last with reasonable care. Also, remember that 90% of looking good is fit, so a well tailored $200 suit will look better than an ill fitting $1000 suit every single time.
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Brown Dress: Allen Edmonds 5th Ave. – $261.43
($335)
Conservative without being boring thanks to the brogue perforations over the cap toe. Closed, true oxford lacing keeps them dressed up and sleek, without being pointy or spear like. Hugely versatile too. Wear these with that new navy SuitSupply suit, or your favorite pair of dark denim and the light grey J. Crew Factory Thompson blazer. And they’re friggin’ bulletproof. Allen Edmonds gets a lot of love on this site (and others) for good reason. They’re built extremely well, they look better as they age and get a few polishes in them, and if you catch a sale they’re attainable for most. It’s a big chunk of the $1500 budget, but you’ll be wearing these a lot, so go for higher quality on brown shoes if possible. On sale through Amazon. $335 via AE.
Black Dress: B.R. Hyde – $140 ($105), Thompson Brogue – $136, or J&M Melton – $119
Hey DSW… could use some help from the Mercanti or Mike Konos camp about now. Too bad most of the DSW house brand dress shoes are sold out in black. Anyway, the thing to take away here is that if you’re on a strict budget, it’s good to remember that you’ll be wearing your black dress shoes a lot less than your brown. So if you’re going to cut costs, choose to downgrade your black dress shoes before the brown. Three options here: The BR pair can dip to $105 if you wait and apply a 25% off code, the Thompson are from YOOX and made in Italy (haven’t seen them in person yet, here’s to hoping there as good as Ciro Lendini), and the Johnston & Murphy Melton is on sale at Amazon for $119
The Casual Boot: Clark’s Original Desert in Suede or Beeswax Leather – $76.45
($120)
Most boots don’t look quite right when worn with jeans and a t-shirt. These do. They also will look more than right with a pair of jeans and that grey J. Crew Factory suit jacket. They’re as versatile as it gets, and the quality is up there for the price. Hat tip to Farhan for pointing out a few weeks back that Clark’s Original Desert boots, crepe sole and all, can usually be had for mega-cheap on Amazon.
The Sneakers: Billy Reid for KSwiss – $27.99 when 30% off ($85.00)
Leave the running shoes for running and the gym. For when you’re real dressed down, stick with classic looking canvas sneakers like these. Currently marked down to $40, but with plenty of sizes it’s worth holding out for the next extra 30% off sale items code. Either color will go with anything. Live in the south or southern California? Stick with white for those sticky hot summer days when you’re keeping as much sun off you as possible. Hard to believe they got this cheap.
TOTAL COST: $501.87
CASH REMAINING: $321.15 (Ouch. Not much left)
Upcoming Categories: Wed – Shirts & Sweaters, Thurs – Pants, Fri – The Rest.
I’ve been resisting the desert boot look since the beginning but those suede ones might make me change my mind……
Loving these guides – just in time for Christmas lists. Ever consider doing them for different budget levels like $750 then $3000 or something? Been looking at the Clarks myself…
I like the beeswax, is that the taupe or brown he has up there?
Bought Clarks (beeswax) a week ago. They are just awesome! Will see what look will they have after couple times of polishing.
Both, or should I say, one of each.
I think its taupe. The brown ones that I have seen are more of a chocolate brown. Also I bought a pair of the beeswax about 2 months ago. I have worn them more than any other shoes I own since.
I am in the market for some brown dress/business casual shoes but am torn between cap and wingtip any suggestion on choosing? Also how do the Johnson and Murphy compare to Allen Edmounds? My budget is about 150 but if they are not close to being as good looks like I will need to start saving.
Now where’s the casual sneaker for those of us who wear a 10.5 3E/4E?
Just wear the shoe box at that point 😉
I’ve had bad luck with J&M in the past with regard to durability. I use shoe trees, and try to avoid the same pair of shoes on consecutive days and still have had several pairs of johnston and murphy fall apart on me – uppers look terrible and soles wear unevenly. Personally I pulled the trigger on a pair of AE Walnut Strands about 18months ago and would never go back. More expensive, sure, but I haven’t had to buy a new pair and they look great. Uppers on these things seem bulletproof. Nothing against cheaper shoes – but for the price of J&M (which I don’t consider cheap) I expect more.
Cap toe vs wingtip- I lean towards wingtips because I think despite their origins they can be worn both in the board room and in a casual setting.
If you can save up, I would recommend Allen Edmonds as they will last longer and may end up being a better bargain.
Not sure what you’re using them for, but I’d honestly recommend NOT polishing the beeswax Clarks DBs. They’re a pretty casual shoe and, in my opinion, the marks/scratches/creases give them character. I get compliments from girls all the time on them, despite them being a pretty basic shoe (and me being in NYC where people always notice this sorta deal).
Any suggestions for a replacement for the desert boot?
I’ve really never liked the way they look, and an alternative would be great.
“Most boots don’t look quite right when worn with jeans and a t-shirt.”
I’d argue the exact opposite. That’s when boots look the best!
$321.15 left for shirts, sweaters, pants, jackets and misc? I’m sensing a large amount of target in our near future. And not very fitted shirts.
Really depends on the boot.
Picked up the desert boots a few weeks ago and they are pretty great. Never owned any Clark’s before this, but I’m a fan. Plus (as was mentioned in the article) you can sign up for amazon.com’s shoe/accessory mailing list and get 25% off your first shoe purchase, which makes them quite cheap.
am i the only one not seeing the 109 for the J&M melton @ amazon? showing at 122 for me…
Either a typo or the price jumped. Amazon can be all of the place day to day with their prices. Changed above. Sorry ’bout that…
just wanted y’all to be aware haha (and in the scheme of things $13 is not much)
The beauty of a couple of great suits/suit jackets, is that if you’re usually in one, you can get away without a shirt that’s perfectly tailored.
Also, this isn’t an experiment meant to take someone from naked to bursting closet. Neither was last year’s. Only brought it back due to some awfully kind requests. Just trying to see how far $1500 can really go, so, it’s far from perfect. Last year never even hit outerwear. And probably won’t this year. Do that and you have to cut enough corners that suit/shoe snobs will raise hell about durability/quality. Which I don’t agree with to the fullest extent, but I do in some areas.
A nike SB Janoski is going to be about 40$ more than the K-Swiss. However you are going to get infinitely more style cred than with a pair of shitty 20$ target kicks.
Wingtip. More interesting…Although others have had different experiences, my Johnston & Murphy office shoes have lasted years and are still ultra-comfortable. Allen Edmonds is a league above, but it is also a price above JM.
Does anyone have any sizing experience with K Swiss (do they tend to run large)?
I’ve tried, but the silhouette is much too boxy.
I like the emphasis so far on suits/sportcoats and shoes (the two areas that see the most of my budget), but I’m wondering how far $321.156 can really go to flesh out the rest of the closet. That will be really intersting to see.
To save money, you could look at goodwill, consignment, and other second hand clothing stores for AE shoes, and then have them refinished. Around where I live, that would come to about 160 (AE’s at Goodwill for 40 bucks. Yes please). Still a solid chunk of change, but gives you an extra Benjamin for the rest of the wardrobe.
I just got these this past week, They fit true to size, and so far I’m loving them. Got them and a pair of new balance both with 30% off, great deal.
Scissors and duck tape, man! Scissors and duck tape!
I’ll echo what everyone else is saying – the Beeswax Clark’s are awesome. Buy them. I wasn’t sure they were my style, but I wear them whenever i’m not at work.
It’s a great effort, Joe, and I think you’re doing as good of a job as it’s gonna get. But perhaps it would have been wise to only include one suit (Navy) last post and maybe done without the boots here to have more cash to work with. Maybe could have done a bonus $500 round at the end which included these items and few others that had to be omitted. Just throwing out my useless opinion here.
In regards to the Brown Dress shoes (AE’s) can I opt for Walnut instead of brown? I already have a bunch of brown shoes (though, none nearly as nice as AE) but I’m in love with the walnut color and think they would look amazing. What I mean is, are these versatile for my navy and charcoal suit but also for my denim, chords, and khakis?
In regards to the Brown Dress shoes (AE’s) can I opt for Walnut instead of brown? I already have a bunch of brown shoes (though, none nearly as nice as AE) but I’m in love with the walnut color and think they would look amazing. What I mean is, are these versatile for my navy and charcoal suits but also for my denim, cords, and khakis?
Johnson and Murphy Runnell Chukka
Bought myself the J&M chukka a month or so ago and I don’t regret it in the least. It was only about $10 more than the full price CDBs and they are just excellent.
5th aves!
no comparison. beautiful shoes. I darkened mine with a
little black polish now they are morel amazing… I’ll be sending them
in for the AE sauna treatment soon.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/RecraftingView?catalogId=40000000001&langId=-1&storeId=1
If
you are trying to get quality on the cheap, hit up the thrifters and
ebay for AEs and Aldens. find a few good pairs and send the in for
re-crafting. Or you could take the to a local guy and have them
disinfected and restored for about $60-70.
Only you will know.
just saying… this was told to me by the folks at AAAC forums. i did
it for my first round of “pro” shoes and never regretted. I was
planning to spend $2k on the basics (blk captoe, brn cap toe, blk
longwing, blk wingtip, brn wingtip), i listened to them and came in at
around $600 after the initial local refurbishments.
I started
getting the re-crafting and replacing the originals with new ones while
the the old ones were in the “sauna” now my old ones look just as good,
if not better in some cases (McCallisters had a slight style change,
old ones look a lot better).
just saying
I hear ya Guest. Planning on doing a follow-up on Monday with some Monday Morning QB Analysis. So far on my notes for that one: “Kill the grey suit? Switch to more affordable shoes? More blazers & extras?” Haven’t thought too hard about it, but there’s some holes this year for sure. Many thanks!
Much appreciate the update! Sometimes I catch them, sometimes I don’t. But I do appreciate it. Thanks John.
“Where’s the kilt?”
thanks for the tip. just grabbed the AE’s for $208. discount for the mailing list was only 20% for me.
I’d love a pair of the Clarks…unfortunately, they don’t come in Wide sizing. Are there any other similar options out there for us, Joe?
If I didn’t just buy AE Cronmok’s I’d be so tempted to get those 5th Avenues in brown…are they always that price on Amazon?
Also any tips on the sizing for the Clarks? The reviews say to size down about 1 size
I had imagined that black dress shoes would be more versatile than brown. Does this mean that one would wear a brown belt with a navy suit, matching the leathers?
I sized down half a size and it works great for me.
+1. I could fit 1 size down length-wise, but the width didn’t work.
cool thanks guys – 1 size down for me is sold out anyway – maybe I can get by with the half
Sorry, english isn’t my native. What I meant, was leather care with conditioner or something like that.
brown is always more versatile than black. brown can be dressed up or down, and anything that looks good with black will look better in brown, except black pants/suits.